used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
a line of approach
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
changesnounUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒəz/
plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
chargedadjectiveUS /tʃɑːrdʒd/
of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
CoppernounUS /ˈkɑːpər/
a ductile malleable reddish-brown corrosion-resistant diamagnetic metallic element; occurs in various minerals but is the only metal that occurs abundantly in large masses; used as an electrical and thermal conductor
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
CorporalnounUS /ˈkɔːrpərəl/
a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Wallion could see that it was a map of the environs of the Copper House.
characterized by great determination
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
envelopingadjectiveUS /ɪnˈveləpɪŋ/
surrounding and closing in on or hemming in
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
environsnounUS /ɪnˈvaɪrənz/
the area in which something exists or lives
From this reading Wallion could see that it was a map of the environs of the Copper House.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
opinion or judgment
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
frownverbUS /fraʊn/
look angry or sullen, wrinkle one's forehead, as if to signal disapproval
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
to a considerable degree
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
made greater in size or amount or degree
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
journalist'snounUS /ˈdʒɜːrnəlɪsts/
possessive form of “journalist” — a writer for newspapers and magazines
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
mapverbUS /mæp/
make a map of; show or establish the features of details of
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
memorandumnounUS /ˌmemərˈændəm/
a written proposal or reminder
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
a particular point in time
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
NapoleonnounUS /nəˈpoʊliən/
French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
no person; not anyone
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
Ortiz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
ownersnounUS /ˈoʊnərz/
plural of “owner” — (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
preoccupiedadjectiveUS /priˈɑːkjəpaɪd/
deeply absorbed in thought
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
on the contrary
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
realisticadjectiveUS /ˌriːəˈlɪstɪk/
aware or expressing awareness of things as they really are
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Wallion could see that it was a map of the environs of the Copper House.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
sparseadjectiveUS /spɑːrs/
not dense
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
distribute or disperse widely
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
stragglingadjective
spreading out in different directions or distributed irregularly
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
studyingnounUS /ˈstʌdiɪŋ/
reading carefully with intent to remember
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
suspensenounUS /səˈspens/
apprehension about what is going to happen
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
a set of data arranged in rows and columns
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
Tarraschin's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wallion could see that it was a map of the environs of the Copper House.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
thick-set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his sparse, straggling hair, his keen, rather preoccupied glance, his small mouth, and round but determined chin, he was an exact copy of Napoleon, and the gray coat enveloping his thick-set figure increased the realistic effect.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
uncommonlyadverbUS /ˌʌnˈkɑːmənli/
exceptionally
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
Wallion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wallion could see that it was a map of the environs of the Copper House.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading It was impossible to guess what Ortiz was thinking, for he had spread out a map on the table, and was studying it carefully.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading _Tarraschin's memorandum changes owners_ Inside the Copper House, the atmosphere of suspense became more and more heavily charged; nobody quite knew the cause of the sounds which now reached them from the avenue.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Suddenly Ortiz looked up into the journalist's eyes, with a frown; at that moment he really looked uncommonly like the "Little Gray Corporal."
